The Golden State Warriors scored a sensational victory in Game 1, and that too without Stephen Curry. The point guard left the game with a calf strain and will be out for a week. Curry’s reevaluation will determine whether he will return to Games 3 and 4 in San Francisco. So until then, the other players must step up.
In the meantime, the Warriors have players who can cause a problem for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jimmy Butler III and Buddy Hield caused issues in Game 1 as they combined for 44 points.
Hence, Anthony Edwards and Co. must stay locked in and not let complacency creep in during this series.
Heading to Game 2, the Warriors lead the series, and the Timberwolves look to even the series and make it 1-1. So, let’s explore how this game went.
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Box Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 15 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 93 |
| Timberwolves | 29 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 117 |
Warriors’ Player Stats
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Butler III | 32:30 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6/13 | 2/4 |
| Draymond Green | 29:09 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 3/10 | 1/6 |
| Quinten Post | 03:18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Buddy Hield | 28:40 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 5/14 | 4/9 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 33:03 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 4/9 | 1/4 |
| Gary Payton II | 11:15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/2 | 0/1 |
| Moses Moody | 16:29 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0/5 | 0/4 |
| Jonathan Kuminga | 26:23 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 8/11 | 1/3 |
| Kevon Looney | 02:48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Pat Spencer | 13:51 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0/2 | 0/0 |
| Gui Santos | 08:29 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Kevin Knox II | 09:02 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1/3 | 0/1 |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | 19:18 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 6/6 | 0/0 |
| Braxton Key | 04:24 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1/1 | 0/0 |
| Stephen Curry | DNP |
Timberwolves’ Player Stats
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaden McDaniels | 33:03 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 7/10 | 1/2 |
| Julius Randle | 32:54 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 10/17 | 1/4 |
| Rudy Gobert | 26:49 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 2/4 | 0/0 |
| Anthony Edwards | 33:54 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6/13 | 2/4 |
| Mike Conley | 17:19 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2/5 | 2/4 |
| Donte DiVincenzo | 25:34 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 3/9 | 3/8 |
| Naz Reid | 29:35 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 4/10 | 3/8 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 25:37 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 7/13 | 4/6 |
| Jaylen Clark | 03:21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Luka Garza | 02:02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Josh Minott | 03:21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 0/1 |
| Leonard Miller | 3:10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1/2 | 0/0 |
| Terrence Shannon Jr. | 03:21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1/2 | 0/0 |
| Joe Ingles | DNP | |||||
| Rob Dillingham | DNP |
Warriors vs. Timberwolves: Game Recap
Unlike the previous game, the Timberwolves caught fire from the get-go. They started strong, knocking down shots and going on multiple runs. The Timberwolves had a 13-0 run from the whistle and never looked back.
Edwards and Co. hustled for the ball better than in Game 1, and the scoreline reflected that.
Julius Randle started strong with all the narratives about how he’s not a postseason performer by scoring 16 points in the first half. But they hit a roadblock when Edwards was injured and out of the game. He had a left ankle sprain and was not returning for the game.
An 8-0 burst out of the gate for Minnesota 💨
They look to even the series 1-1 NOW on TNT! pic.twitter.com/gNIS27rTgL
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2025
Although he’s tough as nails, Edwards hobbling out of the game sucked the energy of the Target Center. As for the Warriors, Hield didn’t get it going from the three-point line, only scoring one three-pointer.
Butler scored five points and had five rebounds, but couldn’t exert his influence on the court. Without Curry, the team struggled to regain its rhythm.
The Timberwolves led the game at halftime, 56-39, and Edwards returned for the second half.
However, the game started getting close in the second half. The Warriors went on a 16-6 run and dominated the third quarter. The Timberwolves had a 22-point lead at one point, but the Warriors never gave up.
At 7:16, Jonathan Kuminga came in to show his worth by dunking the ball on Rudy Gobert to send the Target Center grasping for breath.
Can’t forget about Kuminga’s NASTY jam to get the sequence started 😤 https://t.co/QHpqj6BU0y pic.twitter.com/U5qFSVkFjc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2025
Likewise, Butler started attacking the basket more often and had a brilliant and-one while Buddy Hield came to life and scored a three-pointer from the corner to cut down the lead.
But the Timberwolves stood tall defensively and shut down the Warriors from scoring more points. The Timberwolves then put out a run to extend the lead and establish dominance. The Warriors had 16 turnovers, which hurt them badly, and they panicked on the floor.
Although they burst in the first half of the third quarter, the daunting task of not having Curry on the floor hit them hard. The players asked to play new roles, but Curry took a toll on the Warriors. The Timberwolves crept up on them and ended the Warriors’ comeback.
Julius Randle putting a bow on Game 2 for Minnesota 😤 pic.twitter.com/r2ZX7xfRfz
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2025
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves established themselves in the lead and looked set to take home the victory. They closed out the game 117-93 to tie the series. Randle finished the game with 24 points while Kuminga exploded to score 18 points.
The Timberwolves confidently head to Games 3 and 4 and hope to win the next two games.